River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl

San Antonio’s haunted past gets a bar-by-bar treatment on this two-hour evening walk. You’ll hear about a tavern built on a battlefield, a hotel where phones and doors may act on their own, and a woman buried in wet cement. The stories are spooky, but the setting is social rather than grim.

I like the small group limit of 20, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the mix of old buildings and drinking stops, especially the chance to order the Lady in Red cocktail at the Haunt Bar. The main drawback is that drinks are not listed as included, so your final cost will be higher than the $36 tour price.

Key points to know before you book

• Six downtown stops: The route covers the Crockett Tavern, Emily Morgan Hotel, St. Anthony’s Haunt Bar, Majestic Theatre, Esquire Tavern, and Sheraton Gunter Hotel.
• A social ghost tour: You hear stories while visiting bars and historic buildings, rather than spending two hours in a dark theater or cemetery.
• Guides with personality: Paul is praised for humor and entertainment, while Amorette is noted for drink suggestions and an informal manner.
• A 6:00 pm start: The evening timing suits dinner and nightlife plans, though you should allow extra time after the official two-hour finish if you stop for drinks.
• $36 before drinks: The price covers the guide and historical stories. Cocktails, beer, food, and other purchases are separate.
• Walking in downtown San Antonio: The activity begins and ends at 320 Bonham Street, with the route passing several nearby downtown addresses.

Why this haunted pub crawl works

A good ghost walk needs more than spooky claims. It needs places with a story, a guide who can keep the pace lively, and enough variety to stop the evening from feeling like six versions of the same tale. This experience has all three ingredients.

The route shifts between a former tavern, hotels, theaters, and bars. That change of setting matters. You are not just hearing a ghost story and moving on. You are looking at the buildings tied to the stories, then stepping into a pub or hotel setting where the mood can turn from historical to playful.

The tone also seems flexible. Paul is described as funny and entertaining, while Amorette is associated with an informal style and drink recommendations. That suggests a tour built for conversation and laughs as much as scares. If you want a serious study of San Antonio architecture, this is not the right format. If you want local stories with a drink in hand, it makes more sense.

At $36 per person, the value depends on how you use the evening. The fee covers an experienced guide and historical stories, but not drinks or food. You are paying for the guided route and the storytelling. If you would visit downtown bars on your own anyway, the tour can give your night structure and context. If you want an all-inclusive activity, budget for extra purchases.

Starting at the Crockett Tavern on Bonham Street

The meeting point is 320 Bonham, at the Crockett Tavern. The tour begins at 6:00 pm, and this first stop sets the tone with a story about the tavern being built on a battlefield.

That detail gives the opening some weight. Instead of beginning with a vague tale about unexplained noises, the guide connects the building to a violent past. You can expect about 15 minutes here, enough time to hear the main story without using too much of the evening in one place.

The stop is listed with free admission, as are the other locations. That means you are not paying a separate entry fee for the tour sites. It does not mean food and drinks are included, so keep your wallet handy if the group orders along the route.

Starting at a tavern also makes practical sense. You can arrive ready for an evening out, and the first stop gives you a chance to meet the guide and settle into the group. Because the group can reach 20 people, arriving on time is wise. A late arrival could mean trying to find the group after the storytelling has begun.

The Emily Morgan Hotel and its restless phone

The second stop is the Emily Morgan Hotel at 611 South Presa Street, with about 10 minutes set aside. The story here involves a phone that may ring and doors that may open without anyone touching them.

This is a short stop, so expect a quick account rather than a long hotel visit. The appeal comes from the building itself and the simple, familiar nature of the reported activity. A ringing phone or moving door is easier to picture than a distant legend. It gives the guide a small detail that can keep everyone alert as the walk continues.

You should also understand the limits. The tour does not promise that you will hear the phone or see a door move. The wording allows for the possibility, not a guarantee. Go in ready for storytelling, not a staged paranormal show.

The Lady in Red at St. Anthony’s Haunt Bar

At 300 East Travis Street, the group spends about 15 minutes at the Haunt Bar at St. Anthony’s. Here you hear the story of a woman who took her own life after being left at the altar. The bar’s Lady in Red cocktail takes its name from that tale.

This is the clearest drinking stop on the route. You can order the themed cocktail if you want to connect the story with the setting, but the drink is not part of the $36 tour price. The included features are the guide and historical stories, so plan to pay the bar directly for any cocktail or other purchase.

The stop shows how the experience blends history, folklore, and nightlife. That blend will suit you if you like your ghost stories with a bit of theater. It may feel less comfortable if you prefer lighter legends, since this story involves suicide and abandonment. The guide’s tone will matter here, and the tour’s informal style suggests the evening does not remain heavy for long.

The Majestic Theatre and its many spirits

The fourth stop is the Majestic Theatre at 224 East Houston Street. The building is one of San Antonio’s oldest theaters and is described as home to many spirits. The visit lasts about 10 minutes.

Theater ghost stories have a natural advantage. Old auditoriums carry a sense of performance even when the stage is empty, and stories about former performers, staff, or patrons fit the setting well. Here, the building is the attraction as much as the tale.

You should not expect a theater performance or a full interior tour. The listed stop is brief, and admission is free as part of the crawl. The value comes from seeing the exterior or designated stop and hearing why the site is considered haunted.

This is also a good point to notice the route’s variety. After taverns and hotels, the theater changes the mood. The experience keeps moving through different types of downtown buildings, which helps the two hours feel like a city walk rather than a string of bar visits.

The Esquire Tavern after Prohibition

The fifth stop takes you to 115 East Commerce Street, the Esquire Tavern. It opened the day after Prohibition ended, and the location has attracted patrons and spirits over the years. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

That opening date gives the guide a strong historical hook. Prohibition is a familiar piece of American history, but tying it to a real bar makes the subject more immediate. You get a sense of the place as a long-running social spot, not simply an old building with a ghost attached.

This is another stop where you may want to buy a drink, though nothing is included in the tour fee. The crawl works best if you treat the bar visits as optional purchases rather than required stops for drinking. You can enjoy the stories without ordering at every location, which helps control the evening’s cost.

The Esquire stop also suits anyone who likes a little local history with the supernatural material. The tour is not only about apparitions. It uses the city’s old businesses and landmarks to show how San Antonio’s past keeps turning up in present-day places.

The Sheraton Gunter Hotel’s wet cement story

The final stop is the Sheraton Gunter Hotel. Here you hear the story of a woman buried in wet cement, followed by reports of continued spiritual activity. The stop lasts around 15 minutes.

This is one of the tour’s most striking stories because the image is so specific. Wet cement suggests a building under construction, workers, and a physical place where something terrible may have happened. The story gives the final stop a memorable closing note.

The information provided does not promise that you will enter private areas of the hotel or investigate anything yourself. Treat this as a guided storytelling stop at a functioning hotel. The tour ends back at the original meeting point, so you will not need to arrange a ride from a separate final location.

Ending at the Gunter also gives you a chance to continue downtown afterward. You can make your own dinner plans, return to a favorite bar, or simply finish the night near the same area where you began.

What the guide adds to the evening

The guide is the most important part of a walking ghost tour. Buildings do not explain themselves, and a list of haunted addresses would be easy to forget. The guide connects each stop, controls the pace, and decides how much humor to bring into darker stories.

Paul is associated with a funny, entertaining approach. That can help if you want a relaxed night out rather than a solemn lecture. Amorette is associated with an informal atmosphere, useful drink recommendations, and plenty of information. If either guide leads your group, you may get a personable presentation with room for questions.

The guide names are not a guarantee for every date, so check the booking details if a particular person matters to you. The operator is River City Ghosts, and the activity is offered in English.

The small maximum of 20 people is another plus. It is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large crowd spread across downtown sidewalks. You should still expect a group setting, with pauses needed for everyone to gather and listen.

Timing, walking, and planning your night

The stated duration is about two hours. Six stops divide that time into short sections, with stops ranging from 10 to 15 minutes. The rest of the evening includes walking between addresses and gathering the group at each location.

The activity begins at 6:00 pm and returns to 320 Bonham. The route is in downtown San Antonio, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The supplied details do not give an exact walking distance, so I would plan for a city walk and wear comfortable shoes.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is offered in English. Since the experience includes bars, hotels, and theaters, you should be prepared for active downtown surroundings rather than a quiet countryside setting.

You will want to leave some flexibility after the two-hour estimate. Stories may run slightly long, and a bar purchase can add time. The tour itself has a clear structure, but your evening does not need to end when the guide says goodbye.

Is $36 a fair price?

The $36 fee is reasonable if you value a guided evening activity with several locations and a dedicated storyteller. Six stops give you more variety than a single haunted building visit, and the guide adds context you would not get by walking downtown alone.

The price is less attractive if you count on included drinks. Nothing in the included features covers cocktails, beer, food, or bar tabs. The Lady in Red cocktail is a special option, not a free sample. Think of the fee as an admission charge for the guided experience, then set aside extra money for anything you order.

The group cap improves the value. With no more than 20 people, the guide should have a better chance of being heard, and you should have more room to ask a question than on a huge city tour. Still, the group is not private, so couples looking for an intimate experience may want something more exclusive.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy local legends, historic buildings, casual bars, and guided walks with a humorous side. It suits couples, friends, and visitors who want an easy evening activity that combines sightseeing with nightlife.

It is also a good choice if you like variety. The route moves from a battlefield tavern to a hotel, a themed bar, a theater, another historic tavern, and a major hotel. You get six different settings in about two hours.

I would think twice if you want hard proof of paranormal activity, a private tour, or drinks included in the price. The stories are the main event, and the supernatural claims are presented as legends and reported activity. The tour promises historical stories and a guide, not a guaranteed encounter with a ghost.

Cancellation and booking details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is often booked about 16 days ahead, so booking early is sensible if your San Antonio dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 6:00 pm start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses San Antonio local time.

Should you book the River City haunted pub crawl?

Book it if you want an entertaining downtown walk with spooky stories, historic stops, and the option to buy a drink along the way. Paul and Amorette are associated with the lively, informal style that makes this kind of tour work, and the small group limit helps keep the evening personal enough.

Skip it if you expect a full bar tab, guaranteed paranormal activity, or a formal history lecture. For $36, plus whatever you spend on drinks, this is best treated as a social ghost walk with local flavor. Arrive at 320 Bonham before 6:00 pm, wear comfortable shoes, and let the stories guide your evening.

FAQ

How much does the haunted pub crawl cost?

The tour costs $36 per person. Drinks and food are not listed as included, so you should budget separately for any purchases at the bars.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about two hours. The six stops generally last 10 to 15 minutes each, with additional time spent walking between locations.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is 320 Bonham, San Antonio, Texas 78205, at the Crockett Tavern.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at 320 Bonham.

How many stops are included?

The route includes six stops: the Crockett Tavern, Emily Morgan Hotel, Haunt Bar at St. Anthony’s, Majestic Theatre, Esquire Tavern, and Sheraton Gunter Hotel.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

No. The included features are an experienced guide and historical stories. You can order drinks, including the Lady in Red cocktail at the Haunt Bar, but purchases are separate.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.